Kukla's Korner Hockey

The puck-optional pursuit of punishing checks by these kind of players is the bane of the league because the notion of self-policing always enters the discussion when talk turns to repealing the instigator rule. The theory goes that if players weren’t fearful of getting the extra two-minutes for instigating a fight, Ruutu and Hollweg and players of that ilk would cease and desist if they knew they were going to be on the painful end of a pounding. I’m not so sure. Simon’s attacks didn’t back either guy off and what else can they do? They’re both one-dimensional in their play as well as the exception rather than the rule among NHL players.

No, allowing the instigation of fights because of the acts of a couple of wanton repeat offenders isn’t the answer. Stern suspensions will suffice. The longer the stretches that the league keeps these two thugs off the ice, the better.